title: Preparation of the internal mammary artery.
abstract: The internal mammary artery is the best currently available conduit in coronary artery bypass surgery. It is a living arterial graft with intact smooth muscle and its efficiency as a conduit therefore depends to a large extent on the way it is mobilized and prepared for grafting. This article discusses the anatomical, technical and pharmacological aspects of the surgical preparation of the internal mammary artery for coronary grafting.
authors.affiliation: Northern General Hospital, Sheffield.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Nashef
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Angelini
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007387:Internal Mammary-Coronary Artery Anastomosis; D008323:Mammary Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D013035:Spasm / Q000517:prevention & control; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*